A Myanmar court has sentenced four Thai fishermen to a maximum of six years in prison after their fishing boats were allegedly found operating in Myanmar's territorial waters and were fired upon by Myanmar navy vessels. Meanwhile, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that the situation is under control, and they will be granted pardons early next year as part of ongoing negotiations.

Several Thai news outlets reported that the court in Kawthoung sentenced four detained fishermen to 4-6 years in prison for fishing without permission in Myanmar’s waters. The fishing boat owner was sentenced to six years and fined 200,000 kyats (3,243 baht). Meanwhile, the other three crew members were sentenced to three years in prison for illegal fishing in Myanmar’s territorial waters without authorization. They were also sentenced to an additional year for unauthorized entry into the country, along with a fine of 30,000 kyats (486 baht) each.

Matichon reported that PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra told the media that the incident was part of a normal legal process. She emphasized that a pardon would typically be granted in such cases, and the Thai authorities have already coordinated with Myanmar. She also reaffirmed that the four fishermen would receive pardons early next year.

Previously, the Thai government reported that the four fishermen would be released and returned to Thailand on 6 December. However, the release was delayed as the Myanmar authorities had not received an official order and that legal proceedings needed to be completed.

On 30 November, Myanmar navy vessels reportedly opened fire on three Thai fishing boats, seizing one of them. They were operating from Ko Phayam near the maritime border between Thailand’s Ranong Province  and Myanmar. Myanmar claimed that the boats were in Myanmar’s territorial waters. One crew member died after jumping into the sea, two were injured, and 31 were detained. Four Thai nationals were among them.

The incident occurred near Thailand’s Ko Phayam, opposite Myanmar’s Zedetkyi island. The distance between both islands is 18 nautical miles, making it difficult to apply international law, which stipulates that a country’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles to sea.